Building Near a 150-Year-Old White Oak: Root and Canopy Risk Assessment

High-Risk Scenario

Footings 6 feet and deck 5 feet from a 150-year-old oak with major limb removal = severe root loss + crown imbalance. Survival is uncertain without on-site evaluation.

Required Expertise

Contact State Forestry Agency for a free forester visit. They assess:

• Root plate extent vs. foundation footprint.
• Structural stability post-pruning.
• Long-term slab/root conflict.

No Remote Verdict

Tree survival, structural safety, and liability require professional ground-truthing. Do not proceed without it.